Before naming themselves Gin Blossoms, the Arizona alt-rock band was called Cap’n Crunch, Algebra Ranch, and The Psalms.
∙ Along with The Meat Puppets and The Refreshments, Gin Blossoms were well-known graduates of Tempe, Arizona’s Mill Avenue indie-rock scene.
∙ In 1989, they were named Best Unsigned Band in America by College Music Journal.
∙ Their breakthrough album, 1992’s New Miserable Experience, sold 4 million copies in the US.
∙ “Hey Jealousy” became a smash hit nearly a year after it was released, reaching No. 25 on the Billboard 200 chart.
∙ Gin Blossoms had the honor of closing out Wayne’s World 2 by performing “Idiot Summer” at the movie’s “Waynestock” festival.
∙ Late Show with David Letterman musical director Paul Shaffer frequently used Gin Blossoms songs to segue in and out of commercials.